New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

06/12/2026

DEP and New Jersey Clean Communities partnered for the third year to challenge students across the state to create public service announcements highlighting the impacts of single-use plastics and the importance of reducing litter.

Students from all over New Jersey submitted creative and thoughtful videos that showcase the next generation's commitment to protecting our environment.

Congratulations to this year's winners and thank you to every student who participated! 🎉

Watch the winning videos at: https://litterfreenj.pulse.ly/kuudqjpeh1

06/11/2026

The DEP Forest Fire Service today released a report on the 2025 wildfire season that saw substantial increases in the number of wildfires and acreage burned statewide, and reminds residents and visitors to New Jersey of the important role they have in protecting their communities and reducing wildfire risk.

The report is the first of what will become an annual analysis by the Forest Fire Service looking back at the previous year’s wildfire metrics in the context of wildfire trends, causes and response efforts, while helping New Jerseyans better understand the need for wildfire vigilance to help protect lives and property.

🔗News release at https://nj.pulse.ly/zgodzeyyss

06/11/2026

This week, DEP staff gathered outside our headquarters in Trenton for the raising of the Pride Flag! 🏳️‍🌈

Acting Commissioner Potosnak and DEPride representative Rob DiGioia shared remarks to celebrate Pride Month and commemorate the significance of Pride.

🌈 At DEP, we work to create and maintain a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for LGBTQ+ employees. DEP aims to sustain visibility and a sense of community throughout the Department. We are committed to building workplace equity, promoting staff leadership, and providing high-quality, culturally sensitive care for our staff.

06/10/2026

⛈️ Scattered showers and storms are forecast to develop this afternoon and evening. A few storms could be strong to severe, with locally damaging winds and brief heavy downpours possible.

06/09/2026

06/08/2026

The mountain laurel is in bloom at Worthington! During the month of June, you can see tons of these pink and white flowers along the Appalachian Trail through Worthington and beyond!

Mountain laurel is an evergreen shrub native to the eastern U.S. This plant thrives on mountain tops and rocky ridges. The broad leaves usually appear a dark glossy green color, and the beautifully intricate flowers range from white to pink in color. They prefer partial shade as full sun can scorch the leaves, and grow best in acidic, well-drained soils. Mountain laurel grows slowly, only about 4 to 8 ft. per decade, reaching about 15 ft. in height on average. (Some have been measured at 40 ft!)

Not only beautiful, mountain laurel is also an important host to many pollinator species, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. 🐝 The flowers have a unique spring-loaded system for distributing pollen. The flowers hold 10 stamens under high tension, with the anthers tucked into little pockets within the petals. When a bee lands on the flower, it triggers the “catapult”, flinging pollen onto the bee.

While good for pollinators, keep in mind that mountain laurel is toxic to humans and animals. Please do not touch the plant or pick the flowers! Remember, take only pictures, leave only footprints. 👣

06/08/2026

DEP staff recently joined members of the Whippany-Passaic Rivers Remediation Task Force, including Morris County mayors and local officials, at the East Hanover Office of Emergency Management to discuss flooding challenges affecting communities throughout the region.

The meeting provided an opportunity to hear directly from local leaders about on-the-ground conditions, discuss mitigation efforts and explore opportunities for collaboration as we work toward long-term flood resilience across New Jersey.

Thank you to Mayors Pannullo, Thomas “Ace” Gallagher for Hanover Township Committee, Mayor Mark Taylor, Jason Karr, Morris Plains Mayor, Mayor Pulkit Desai, Mayor Tim Dougherty Donna Guariglia, Carolyn Dempsey, Mayor Angie Devanney and Andrew Hipolit, Municipal Engineer with Colliers , for meeting!

06/06/2026

An Air Quality Action Day for Ozone has been declared for today, June 6. ⚠️

Sensitive individuals, including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

High pressure will begin to push offshore today, allowing for steady southwesterly winds, high temperatures lingering in the mid 90s, and partly sunny skies.

As a result, ozone levels will remain elevated in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) category along the I-95 corridor and in central and southern New Jersey. Levels of fine particulates will remain in the Moderate category statewide.

06/05/2026

DEP Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak today announced the Garden State Preservation Trust’s approval of Green Acres funding awards totaling $90.6 million for local government and nonprofit projects to acquire open space, develop and improve parks, and enhance recreation and conservation resources in communities across the state.

🔗News release at https://nj.pulse.ly/tm7tyib1yx

06/05/2026

This is our FINAL day of ! Thousands of New Jerseyans are now better prepared for extreme heat.

✅ You know the symptoms
✅ You have a plan
✅ You'll check on others
✅ You understand double threats

Make sure to visit https://nj.pulse.ly/qe6ytewqyp and share what you learned with one person today!

Stay safe, NJ! 💙